18 March 2004 Edition

Sinn Féin anti-racist training seminar

A Sinn Féin Intercultural Training Day was held in the Newgrange Hotel on
Saturday last. Twenty-five Sinn Féin candidates and Directors of Elections
attended. The Seminar was organised by the National Consultative Committee
on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI). The issues covered were racism,
discrimination and integration.

Seamus Lynch, Sinn Féin's local election candidate in the Slane Electoral
Area, said: "All the political parties have signed a pledge to combat racism
during the forthcoming elections. Sinn Féin is the first party to organise
intercultural training for its candidates and members and I would urge the
other parties to do likewise.

"Racism cannot be allowed to take root in our society. Many nationalities
will come to our shores in the coming years seeking work, shelter and
safety. We as a people have experienced the trauma of discrimination,
poverty and immigration. Sinn Féin believes in an Ireland of Equals. There
can be no room for racism, discrimination or inequality in such an Ireland."